Bush Park Planting in Little River Watershed

Happy 150th Birthday Canada

Happy 125th Birthday City of Windsor

Gina Pannunzio, Paul Giroux and Ian Naisbitt (Author)

On Saturday, 14 October, the Windsor-Essex community celebrated the birthdays of Canada and Windsor by planting 150 trees. Essex County Nature was invited to participate by Paul Giroux, City of Windsor Forester and Gina Pannunzio, Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA)/ Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC). Our community partnership also included volunteers from the Little River Enhancement Group (Lil’ Reg) and the Windsor Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at (AMJ Windsor). This project was funded by the AMJ Windsor, the City of Windsor and the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup.

The planting site is located in the Little River Watershed in East Windsor at Bush Park. There is an existing woodland that is well established in the south end of the park; fortunately, the Ganatchio Trail already runs through it and is enjoyed by local citizens. This tree planting event extended the woodland habitat north to Forest Glade Drive and will provide shade for trail users in the future. As well, planted trees along the Ganatchio Trail will connect the park to the riparian habitat of the Little River valley.

Environment Canada called for a cloudy day with 60 percent chance of showers. High 21. Humidex 25. UV index 3 or moderate. The group appreciated the weather conditions: overcast, with mild Autumn temperatures (15 to 17 degrees Celsius). The volunteers were not phased by the precipitation at the beginning of the event, which did not last. About 50 hardy community volunteers (children, parents and grandparents) participated by digging holes; planting and mulching the trees! Volunteers worked from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The species of trees that we planted included: (Burr Oak, American Elm, Swamp White Oak, Basswood, Pin Oak, Freeman’s Maple and American Sycamore.)

The planting event was followed by a barbeque sponsored by the AMJ Windsor group, which was greatly appreciated by the volunteers.

Today’s contribution brings the total number of trees planted in the Little River Watershed to 39235!

Spring is right around the corner, and what better way to “dig in” to the warmer weather than with a fun, free, family-friendly tree planting even […]

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The Detroit River Canadian Cleanup implements the Remedial Action Plan on behalf of a community-based partnership between the government (federal, provincial, municipal), local industries, researchers, environmental organizations and citizens working together to protect, restore and enhance the Detroit River ecosystem.